Fierce Goodbye: Living in the Shadow of Suicide

In the U.S. today, over 4,000,000 people a year mourn a relative's suicide. Hosted by folksinger Judy Collins, whose son committed suicide (and who had attempted it herself as a youth), Fierce Goodbye addresses this often-taboo subject as survivors speak with simplicity and candor about their grief and the challenges of recovery, while Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, a mental health expert and professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University (who survived her own suicide attempt) offers insightful comments throughout. In addition, the documentary explores the evolving sensitivity of various faiths toward suicide, with clergy addressing the role they play in lending support and compassion to families and friends. Extensive DVD extras include complete “Family Stories”; the expanded featurettes “Mental Illness, Depression and Suicide,” “Suicide and Beliefs About God,” “ After Death Experiences,” and “Healing and Hope”; an interview with Collins; and a reading of Gwendolyn Carr's brief poem “Fierce Goodbye.” Sure to be of some comfort to those who may feel isolated in their grief, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)